New Guide Makes Way for Wetlands

As sea levels rise and coastal landscapes change, U.S. tidal wetlands face an urgent challenge: find space to grow inland or disappear altogether. To help Reserves and partners support communities who want to protect these economically important natural resources, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System has released Pathways to Resilience: A Guide to Collaborative Tidal Wetland Migration Pathway Protection. 

The guide grew out of the six-state initiative focused on identifying and safeguarding landward migration pathways for tidal wetlands, including salt marshes, along the Eastern Seaboard. Supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the project demonstrates how Reserve science, partnerships, and community engagement can come together to address one of the most pressing coastal resilience issues today.

“This guide grew directly out of what Reserve teams are experiencing on the ground,” says Rachel Holbert, Pathways to Resilience project manager. “We’ve learned that successful marsh migration planning depends just as much on collaboration and community relationships as it does on technical data. Our goal was to create a practical resource that helps others move from big questions to real projects.”

Wetlands are not only ecological treasures, they are also important economic assets for coastal communities. Reserves help protect and manage roughly 400,000 acres of tidal wetlands that provide an estimated $1.5 billion in storm protection services every year. These habitats also support the multi-billion dollar U.S. commercial and recreational fishery industry, with nearly 75 percent of commercially harvested fish and shellfish depending on wetlands at some stage of their life cycles. Through the guide and other System-wide projects, Reserves are working to extend the impact of their data, science, and technical expertise to support sustainability of tidal wetlands around the coasts.

The guide offers tools, case studies, and tested strategies drawn from Reserve experiences. It highlights how to identify partners, develop mapping tools, prioritize projects, and prepare for opportunities such as land protection, restoration, and resilience planning. The framework emphasizes both technical analysis and meaningful community engagement, reflecting the complex decisions involved in managing coastal change.

“Reserves have always been places where science helps real world problems and communities come together to solve coastal challenges,” said Rebecca Roth, Executive Director of the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA). “This guide captures shared knowledge from across the System and makes it accessible to anyone working to protect wetlands while supporting resilient, economically vibrant coastal communities.”

NERRA encourages Reserve staff, planners, conservation organizations, and community leaders to explore the guide and adapt its approaches locally. By planning today for how wetlands can move tomorrow, communities can reduce future disaster costs, protect critical ecosystems, and strengthen coastal economies for generations to come.